Compilations of top 10 key latest stories that you need to know this Tuesday morning, 17th February, 2026
N432bn probe: EFCC detains El-Rufai, DSS on standby
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was detained at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja on Monday night after hours of interrogation over an alleged N432 billion corruption probe.
El-Rufai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, is also expected to face criminal prosecution over the alleged bugging of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu’s phone.
Multiple sources within the anti-graft agency confirmed to The PUNCH that the former governor, who arrived at the commission’s Jabi headquarters around 10am in response to an invitation, was grilled over allegations arising from the 2024 report of the Kaduna State House of Assembly which accused his administration of misappropriating loans, violating due process in contract awards and plunging the state into heavy debt.
“The commission has been investigating him for about a year now. As a commission, we don’t just rush to invite suspects.
Persons accused are always the last; that is after we might have done our investigation to an advanced stage.
2027: N’Assembly eyes Jan 16 for presidential poll, suspends Electoral Bill harmonisation
There are strong indications that the Independent National Electoral Commission and the National Assembly have agreed to move the 2027 presidential election to January 16, 2027, in a dramatic reversal of the earlier February 20 date, The PUNCH gathered.
Similarly, the governorship elections are also set to be brought forward to January 30, 2027, multiple sources within the electoral body and the legislature confirmed on Monday.
The development comes a few hours after the Senate and House of Representatives suspended the planned harmonisation of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill to focus on an emergency plenary session convened for Tuesday, where the new dates are expected to top deliberations.
“After several consultations and meetings, INEC and the leadership of the National Assembly have now agreed on a new date for next year’s election,” a senior INEC official who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, told The PUNCH.
Arrest made after two die on Lagos film set
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a suspect in connection with the deaths of two Nollywood production crew members found lifeless inside a parked vehicle at a movie location in Lekki, Lagos.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, told PUNCH Metro on Monday that the suspect was a member of the production team who allegedly delivered food to the deceased before they were discovered unresponsive.
“One suspect has been arrested. The suspect was the one who delivered food to the victims in the vehicle. Investigation is still ongoing,” she said.
The victims — lighting director Ekemini “GeeTee” Imeh and his associate, Ayodeji Walter Odediran — were found dead on Saturday, February 7, within the premises of Evercare Hospital Lekki, which was being used as a filming location.
W’Cup: Nigeria’s wait continues as FRIDAY delays DR Congo verdict
World football governing body FIFA is yet to deliver its verdict on the petition submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during last November’s 2026 World Cup African play-offs, The PUNCH reports.
Nigerians were kept on edge on Monday in anticipation of the ruling, as the intercontinental play-offs are scheduled to take place from March 26 to 31 in Mexico.
The Super Eagles missed out on automatic qualification during the qualifying series last year but advanced to the African play-offs, where they were eventually beaten by DR Congo on penalties.
Several unconfirmed reports circulated on Monday regarding the team’s fate, but NFF President Ibrahim Gusau said the federation was still awaiting communication from FIFA.
We are still waiting to hear from FIFA. We are hopeful, by the grace of God,” Gusau said.
DR Congo have been drawn to face the winner of the tie between New Caledonia and Jamaica for a chance to secure one of the two available World Cup slots.
Step-by-step to resolve power supply challenges – NERC
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has outlined a three-step process for electricity consumers seeking resolution to power supply, billing and metering challenges.
In a public advisory obtained from NERC’s X handle on Tuesday, the commission urged customers experiencing issues such as prolonged outages, estimated billing, faulty meters or voltage fluctuations to first contact their respective electricity Distribution Companies.
According to NERC, the DisCos remain the primary point of contact for all electricity-related complaints and are mandated to address technical and commercial concerns within stipulated timelines.
The commission advised consumers to ensure they obtain a complaint reference number and keep records of all communications to facilitate follow-up.
FCT poll: Supreme Court affirms Joshua Ishaku as APC candidate
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the dissenting judgment of Justice Okon Abang, declaring Joshua Ishaku as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2026 Bwari Area Council chairmanship election.
In a split 4–1 decision on Monday, Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur, who read the lead judgment, set aside the majority ruling of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which had earlier affirmed Haruna Audi as the party’s candidate.
Resolving all issues in favour of Ishaku, the apex court held that the majority judgment of the appellate court was wrong in concluding that the appellant’s suit was statute-barred.
The court held that the “inevitable conclusion is that the appellant was denied the opportunity to be heard” and was “denied fair hearing.
”On whether the suit was premature for failing to exhaust internal party remedies, the apex court held “that the internal affairs principle is not absolute”.
It added that “where issues transcend domestic party affairs, the court can intervene.”
Dangote signs $400m equipment deal to fast-track Refinery expansion
Dangote Group has signed a $400 million construction equipment agreement with XCMG Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., one of China’s leading manufacturers of construction machinery, in a move set to accelerate the expansion of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day, positioning it to become the largest refinery in the world.
The agreement will enable the Group to acquire an additional wide range of advanced construction equipment to support ongoing and forthcoming projects across refining, petrochemicals, agriculture and large-scale infrastructure development.
The new equipment will complement existing assets deployed for the refinery expansion, which is expected to be completed within three years.
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, February 17, 2026
The Nigerian Naira maintained a stable yet cautious position against the United States Dollar during the Tuesday morning trading session on February 17, 2026.
Following a weekend of steady consolidation, the local currency continues to trade within the 1,350 range in the official window, reflecting the ongoing effectiveness of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) liquidity management.
In the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), the Naira opened the day’s session at approximately 1,351.18 per dollar. By mid-morning on February 17, the exchange rate saw a marginal adjustment, with the dollar trading at an average of 1,354.86.
Electoral Act: Hide-and-seek game in Abuja as Reps avoid joint meeting
The meeting of the Conference Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, was suddenly shifted to late night yesterday, following the failure of members of the House of Representatives in the committee to formally sit and brainstorm to reach any conclusion, ahead of today’s plenary.
This comes as pressure mounts on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, exactly 368 days to the February 20, 2027, general elections, to ensure that electronic transmission of results is seamless, transparent and legally unassailable, unlike the controversy that trailed the 2023 presidential poll.
Banks to pay N10m fine for using unaccredited cheque printer
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has slammed a N10 million fine and withdrawal of cheques on commercial banks using unaccredited cheque printers/personaliser.
The apex bank disclosed this in its revised sanctions regime on defaulters of the Nigeria Cheque Standard and Nigeria Cheque Printers’ Accreditation Scheme (NICPAS).
Among other things, CBN said:
“Offence of engagement of unaccredited commercial cheque printer/personaliser by commercial banks as reported by accredited cheque personalisers/printers or via CBN/MTIC audit will attract withdrawal of cheques from circulation and N10 million fine; withdrawal of cheques from circulation and N20 million fine for a repeat offence.
“Failure/ refusal to submit personalized cheque samples for testing and analysis (where applicable) will attract a N5 million fine.
